Cable Connector Ground Contact Design for Signal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable connectors for differential signal transmission experience variations in electric characteristics due to elastic deformation of the insulator, leading to inconsistent connections and thermal deformation issues during high-temperature soldering.
Innovation Solution
A cable connector design featuring a connector board with L-shaped and T-shaped ground contacts, elastic arm portions, and a conductive tape, which securely holds the outer conductor without the need for swaging or high-temperature soldering, stabilizing the connection and reducing part count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shield connection terminal is swaged so as to be along with the shape of the outer conductor, then the outer conductor and the shield connection terminal are electrically connected, but the insulator inside the outer conductor is elastically deformed by the swaging force, resulting in change of distance between signal line conductors and variation in electric characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shield connection terminal from the structure, replacing it with ground contacts that are directly integrated into the connector board. This eliminates the swaging process that causes insulator deformation while maintaining electrical connection functionality through direct soldering of ground contacts to the outer conductor.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground contacts are merged with the connector board structure, forming an integrated assembly where the ground contacts extend from the board surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate shield connection terminals and reduces the number of assembly steps, thereby preventing insulator deformation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If direct connection of the outer conductor to the ground pad by soldering is performed, then heat at the tip of the soldering bit is not in contact with the outer conductor preventing deformation, but the connection process requires precise heat control and additional manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ground contacts as intermediary elements between the outer conductor and the connector board. These ground contacts serve as mediators that receive heat during soldering without transmitting it to the outer conductor, thus preventing thermal deformation while maintaining the soldering connection process.
3Reliability
If a shield connection terminal with plate-shaped metal is used, then the outer conductor can be electrically connected to ground pad, but the plate-shaped metal must be plastically deformed which increases device complexity and part count
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the shield connection terminal from the connector structure, replacing it with simplified ground contacts that are directly mounted on the connector board. This reduction in components decreases device complexity while maintaining ground connection reliability through direct electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground contacts serve multiple functions: providing electrical connection to the outer conductor, establishing ground reference for differential signals, and serving as mounting points for the connector assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate shield connection terminals, reducing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution stabilizes electric characteristics, prevents thermal deformation, and simplifies the connection process by eliminating the need for swaging and high-temperature soldering, ensuring reliable and consistent differential signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
at least either one of the respective arm portions is elastically deformed, and that a dimension in a distance between the respective arm portions is smaller than a dimension in a thickness of the outer conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector and a cable assembly in which electrical characteristics are stabilized by suppressing elastic deformation of a cable for differential signal transmission, and besides, which are easily connectable by reducing the number of parts, and a method of manufacturing the cable assembly are provided. Respective ground contacts and respective signal line contacts positioned between the respective ground contacts through a space are provided in a connector main body. Front-side arm portions and rear-side arm portions mutually extending toward the respective signal line contacts are integrally provided with end portions of the respective ground contacts protruded from a side wall portion of the connector main body. And, under a state that respective signal line conductors are arranged in the respective signal line contacts, an outer conductor is held by the front-side arm portions and the rear-side arm portions.